June 28, 2015

NEW YORK (June 25, 2015) – This Independence Day weekend, fans are flocking to the sun-drenched island of Barbados for an exclusive concert by rising electro-pop stars, Priory. Dubbed an “emerging” band by Billboard Magazine, the Portland-based band will debut on-island July 5 at hotspot The Boatyard with hit songs from their latest album “Need to Know.”

Hot off the heels of their recent New York City Governors Ball performance, the band is quickly topping charts with their debut single “Weekend,” considered “best new song of the year” by Los Angeles ALT 98.7 radio. Opening for Priory on-island is Barbados’ own NexCyx, an alternative hip-hop band known for hit singles “Gossip Girl” and “Nightclub Superheroes.”

In collaboration with Warner Bros., Shazam and NYLON, two lucky winners and a guest have been selected to travel to Barbados for a three-day stay at the Southern Palms Resort and have been granted all-access passes to the concert.

Home to pop-star Rihanna, the island of Barbados has a thriving music scene which plays host to some of the biggest festivals in the Caribbean including: Classical Pops (December 11-12, 2015), The Barbados Reggae Festival (April 2016), The Naniki Jazz Festival (January 2016). JetBlue’s acclaimed flatbed service Mint, will begin operation to Barbados from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport this November and their continued expansion in the region sees the introduction of a seasonal weekly service from Boston’s Logan International Airport directly to the island.

About Barbados

The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes. Rated as one of the world’s sexiest beaches in 2008 by Concierge.com; Barbados’ Crane Beach in St. Philip stands as a premier destination for travelers. Barbados is also the first Zagat-rated Caribbean island and is known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. Barbados has hosted several world class events including: The annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival; the 2006 PGA World Golf Championships-Barbados World Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup Finals in 2007, the Sentebale Charity Polo match with Prince Harry of Wales in 2010, and the ICC Twenty20 Cricket Finals for 2010, and the Rihanna LOUD concert in 2012. Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas, to quaint bed and breakfasts and award-winning, five-star resorts. Grantley Adams International Airport offers even more non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S., making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean. Barbados was voted eighth in the World by Trip Advisor’s “2008 Travelers’ Choice Destination Awards” in its Top 100 Destinations category. For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, follow on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados, via Twitter @Barbados.

Barbados all inclusive vacation

The Island Strengthens Ties with the Travel Agent Community Targeting Key Source Markets in the U.S.

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS (June 13, 2015) – Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), led by Petra Roach, Director US, has officially kicked off its regional road show this past Monday, June 8th with an event attended by over 70 top travel agents in the Boston, Massachusetts region. Currently the seventh largest source market for U.S. visitation to Barbados, Massachusetts is now home to the recently announced start of JetBlue’s new direct service from Boston to Barbados.

Moving along the coast, the BTMI and local partners continued the educational series in key northeastern markets Connecticut, New Jersey and New York representing the fourth, third and largest market respectively for the island, reaching an additional 200 agents. Barbados recognizes the importance of the travel agent community by continuing to implement innovative programming that ensures travel partners are adequately equipped to sell the destination.

“Getting in front of the travel agent community and educating them about what is different and unique about Barbados is a priority for us, and ensures that we get their loyalty and support in spreading the Barbados message to their clients. Travel agent’s in most cases, are the direct liaison between travelers and the destination, as the majority of consumers rely implicitly on the recommendation of their agent.” said Petra Roach, BTMI US Director.

Ms. Roach continues, “Phocus Wright estimates that the travel agent distribution channel accounts for one third of the U.S. travel market, projecting sales of over 100 billion this year. Tour operators who sell mainly through travel agents rather than direct are reporting double digit growth of up to 30% – the agent community offers what no online service can and that is personalization.”

Over 23 partners from the hotel and ancillary sector have joined the two-week long tour, engaging with over 400 agents as a result of the regional road show. The “Spirit of Barbados” road show has attracted top producing retail and home -based agents in addition to luxury advisors from the Virtuoso, Ensemble and Signature consortia. Event highlights included a marketplace where agents interacted with the exhibitors and an extensive training presentation overviewing the best that Barbados has to offer.

Andrea Franklin, West Coast Villas noted, “I am happy with the caliber of agents who came out for the first few events and am looking forward to further developing the villa experience with them.”

Patricia Alfonso Dass, Ocean Hotels commented, “Excellent to see the agents engaged and excited to sell the destination and based on the response I have seen, I know that we are poised to make good headway in this market.”

Recently re-launched, Barbados’ Elite Club Training Program remains an important tool in the ongoing education and training of agents. Loaded with rewards and benefits, the ten chapter program covers the island’s niche markets and elite insider tips to keep agents in-the-know.

The tour continues next week to Charlotte, Atlanta, Dallas and Houston, penetrating the sales community and creating destination buzz nation-wide. For more information on Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org or call 1-800-221-9831.

Barbados Island Guide - travelguru.tv

travelguru Catherine Leech, a frequent visitor to the Caribbean, takes us on a personal tour of Barbados and highlights the things not to miss on the island. To see more videos like this visit www.travelguru.tv

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